Jaclyn Smith, famous for her role in *Charlie’s Angels*, was married three times before she found true love with Dr. Brad Allen. Together, they faced many challenges, including her fight with cancer, which caused her a lot of worry.
In 1976, ABC launched the iconic show *Charlie’s Angels*, and Jaclyn Smith became a household name. She quickly rose to fame, and her role earned her many awards, including a Golden Globe nomination.
After *Charlie’s Angels*, Jaclyn appeared in many movies and TV shows. However, she wanted more than just a successful career. She dreamed of having a family, being married, and finding true love before starting a family. But finding the right person wasn’t easy for her.
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Jaclyn Smith was married three times before she found the right person, but her past relationships led her to the love of her life. Before becoming famous on *Charlie’s Angels*, she was married to actor Roger Davis from 1968 to 1975.
In 1976, during the time *Charlie’s Angels* was on the air, Jaclyn met her second husband when Dennis Cole guest-starred on the show. They married in 1978, but they separated in 1981. Despite the challenges, Jaclyn remained determined to find true love.
In 1981, Jaclyn married Tony Richmond, a well-known filmmaker. It seemed like she had finally found the right person to start her family. They had two children together: Gaston in 1982 and Spencer Margaret in 1985.
Being a mother became Jaclyn’s main focus. It was much more important than acting or any career. In 2017, she told People:
“The love that you have for your children, it’s like, ‘Oh my God. But this is even bigger — there are no words.”
Sadly, her relationship with their father ended, and they separated in 1989. But the fourth time was the charm. She met Dr. Brad Allen and married him in 1997. Their meeting seemed like something from a movie.
The surgeon, Dr. Brad Allen, had saved her father’s life, and after the surgery, Jaclyn’s mother encouraged him to speak with her. He later walked her to the hospital parking garage so she wouldn’t be alone.
Jaclyn fell in love with him because she saw “a purity of heart” in Allen, as she told *Closer Weekly* in 2014. Now, they are celebrating their 27th anniversary on October 11, and their love has stayed strong, showing that everyone can find the right person if they try enough times.
**Brad Allen: A Great Stepfather and Support During Cancer**
Jaclyn’s most important role is being a mother, and she’s also a grandmother now. But finding the right man meant marrying someone who could love her children, even if he wasn’t their biological father.
Brad Allen was perfect. He became a loving stepfather to Gaston and Spencer. However, their love would face a big test in 2002 that could have ended their relationship.
Jaclyn takes her health seriously and sees her doctors regularly. So, she went for a routine checkup in 2002. The doctor said they needed to do a biopsy on some of her breast tissue.
A biopsy doesn’t always mean something serious, and Jaclyn thought it would be fine. But a few days later, she was busy with errands and preparing for a trip to New York with Spencer, and didn’t expect bad news.
When Jaclyn entered the doctor’s office, she remembered the doctor asking if she “was alone.” Looking back, she said that was the first sign something was wrong. After that, the doctor gave her the news.
Jaclyn had cancer in her left breast. Luckily, it was small, and doctors found it early because she had regular mammograms. Still, hearing she had cancer was scary, and Jaclyn “panicked.”
All Jaclyn could think about was her trip to New York with her daughter, who was going to study dance with Alvin Ailey. Her daughter was still in high school, and Jaclyn was worried about both of them. Her son, who is four years older, was also on her mind.
Luckily, the doctor said her outlook was good, and they could use a gentle approach to treat it. But Jaclyn didn’t want that. She immediately asked for a mastectomy:
“I said right then, ‘Just take my breast off. I don’t want to deal with it.’ I just wanted to get it over with.”
Jaclyn later said she was not thinking clearly at the time. Her fear was too strong, and it guided her decision. That same day, she met with a surgeon. After calming down, she got in her car and called her family.
Both Brad Allen and Jaclyn’s mother didn’t want to believe the news about her cancer at first. But soon, they joined her in Los Angeles when they realized how serious it was. For Jaclyn, the hardest part was how little she knew about breast cancer.
She felt scared and couldn’t sleep, feeling overwhelmed. She was alone at the time and cried every morning during those first few days after hearing the news. “I went to a dark place. But then I read and educated myself,” Jaclyn said.
Luckily, Jaclyn was not alone in this. She had her loved ones to support her, and she also received comfort from her friends. One of her close friends, Kate Jackson, who was her co-star on “Charlie’s Angels,” had gone through breast cancer herself and helped guide her.
Once Jaclyn learned more about her condition, everything seemed clearer. The doctor told her that the cancer hadn’t spread to her lymph nodes, which made the treatment simpler. She wouldn’t need chemotherapy, which had been one of her biggest worries.
Jaclyn decided not to go through with the mastectomy. Instead, she had a lumpectomy and went through eight weeks of radiation after carefully considering her options. During this time, she was still busy with her career, working on her Kmart clothing line and home goods brand.
Jaclyn also appeared in the 2003 movie *Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle* alongside Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu. At the same time, she had a regular role on Craig T. Nelson’s show *The District*. But it wasn’t easy for her.
She explained, “I’d gone off hormones, so I did have some hot flashes. But I had so much love surrounding me, and work really made me feel good about myself too.”
Jaclyn said it was “amazing” how she went from being terrified to educating herself about the situation. In the end, she found the strength to fight for her health. She believes in facing fears head-on, a lesson she often shares with her children.
Most importantly, Jaclyn hopes everyone gets regular checkups because the best way to treat cancer is to catch it early. She shared that her mammogram the year before was perfect, with no signs of any issues. But just one year can make a big difference in your health.
My Husband Insisted I Get Pregnant the Day after Our Wedding — My Heart Dropped When I Discovered His Real Reason
As a child, my grandmother used to tell me that life can be full of surprises, not all of them pleasant.
“Remember the good times and don’t let the bad ones bring you down, Liz,” she’d say.
I suppose she wanted to prepare me for life’s bitter moments, but little did she know that the worst day of my life would alter my reality forever.
I’ll never forget the moment I discovered what my husband, Jake, was scheming behind my back. We met at my workplace and quickly became close friends.
We married after just six months of dating because we felt a deep connection—or so I thought.
The day after our lovely wedding, Jake brought up the idea of starting a family right away. “Liz, I think we should try for a baby immediately,” he said, sounding more urgent than I expected.
“Are you sure? We just got married,” I replied, trying to gauge his intentions.
“Yes, absolutely,” he insisted. “There’s no better time than now. It’s the perfect way to start our journey together.”
Despite his enthusiastic words, something about his tone made me uneasy.
Confused yet flattered by his eagerness, I smiled and nodded, unaware of his true motives.
One day, while tidying up the living room, I noticed Jake’s laptop chiming with a notification. He was in the shower, so I glanced at the screen.
I wasn’t snooping, but I couldn’t ignore the message preview that read, “Is she pregnant yet?”
It was from his ex-girlfriend, Claire.
My stomach churned as I read their chilling conversation.
“Remember our agreement, Jake. You need to impregnate her within a year. Otherwise, you won’t secure your inheritance,” Claire wrote.
“Don’t worry, I’m on it. Everything is going according to plan,” Jake replied.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I processed their conversation. They discussed a cold, calculated strategy where Jake would marry me to ensure an heir for a substantial inheritance from a distant relative.
To secure the inheritance, Jake needed to father a child within a year of our wedding. Moreover, he was using me because his ex-girlfriend was infertile.
After securing his share, Jake planned to divorce me and be with Claire.
“How could you?” I whispered.
Shaken by the revelation, I knew I couldn’t confront Jake without solid evidence. So, over the next few days, I acted normally while discreetly gathering proof.
Whenever Jake left his laptop unattended, I copied the emails onto a USB drive. I also started recording his phone conversations with Claire whenever I was out.
One evening, pretending to leave the house, I hid in the garage and recorded Jake confirming their scheme on the phone.
“I just need a bit more time, Claire. Trust me, everything’s on track,” he said urgently.
With the evidence secured, I consulted a lawyer.
“This is serious, Elizabeth. We need to handle this carefully to protect you legally and financially,” he advised.
We planned every step meticulously, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.
Jake’s family hosted an annual gathering a few weeks later, providing the perfect opportunity to reveal his truth.
It was attended by all his distant relatives, including those whose inheritance he coveted.
In the weeks leading up to the event, I pretended to be a loving wife eager to start a family with Jake. But inside, I felt anxious.
During the event, I stood up to make a toast after dinner.
“I want to thank everyone for welcoming me into this wonderful family,” I began. “And to my dear husband, who has taught me so much about trust and love, I have a special surprise!”
As all eyes turned to me, I switched on the projector. The damning emails between Jake and Claire flashed on the screen, followed by recordings of their phone conversations.
The room fell silent. Then, Jake’s grandmother stood up, her face flushed with anger.
“You are a disgrace,” she declared firmly. “You won’t receive a penny of anyone’s wealth!”
Claire, whom I had invited as a friend’s plus one, stood up, her face pale. She slapped Jake across the face.
“I never want to see you again!” she exclaimed before storming out.
As whispers filled the room, I looked at Jake, his face drained of color.
“And one last thing,” I added firmly. “I never intended to get pregnant so soon. I’ve been on birth control since learning the truth.”
That evening, Jake’s plan lay in ruins, leaving him with nothing. His deception also invalidated our prenup.
Meanwhile, I walked away with my integrity intact and a bright future ahead of me.
What would you have done?
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